President promotes Iraqi democracy in Arab community

Associated Press

Published Tuesday, April 29, 2003

DEARBORN, Mich. -- America will not impose any government or culture on Iraq but will be a "steady friend" in forming a new democracy to replace Saddam Hussein, President Bush said Monday in a speech broadcast across the Arab world.

"The Iraqi people will choose their own leaders and their own government," Bush told an exuberant crowd that twice chanted "U-S-A, U-S-A," in Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit with deep Middle Eastern ties.

"The days of oppression from any source are over," he said. "Iraq will be democratic."

Bush told about 600 Arab-Americans at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn that they need to be patient because building a new democracy takes time.

"America pledged to rid Iraq of an oppressive regime and we kept our word," Bush said. "America now pledges to help Iraqis build a prosperous and peaceful nation and we will keep our word again."

He said the journey will be hard, "but at every step of the way, Iraq will have a steady friend in the American people."